Verum writes: bringing public health into optics

Public health has various definitions, but is generally thought to be about supporting individuals to improve their health and well-being through offering advice, guidance and support.   We are all involved in some way in public health work, either at work in practice or in our everyday lives, but is there the opportunity for optical practices to be more involved in public health and if so what are the advantages?

We are constantly reading about ageing populations with the accompanying health issues that brings, such as falls.  Add to that there are the issues of poor health due to lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking and lack of exercise.   Unfortunately the impact of all these is an increased burden on the NHS healthcare system and public health departments, which are already struggling to cope.  However the potential good news is that many of these issues are modifiable if individuals take responsibility, which they are able to do, given the right support and guidance.